MISSISSAUGA — TICO has announced the creation of two new advisory councils that comply with orders made last year by the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery of Ontario.
The orders, made in August 2023 by then Minister Kaleed Rasheed, included such items as decreasing the number of Board members from 11 to 9, ensuring no more than 34% of Board members are drawn from the travel agent and travel wholesaler industry, and establishing an industry advisory council comprised of members representing the interests of travel agents and travel wholesalers to report to and advise the Board.
To read the Minister’s orders in their entirety, click here.
In response, TICO announced yesterday, April 9, that two new advisory councils have been created: the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) and Industry Advisory Council (IAC).
Both councils will play a role in advising TICO’s Board of Directors and management on matters related to consumer protection, challenges and opportunities affecting Ontario’s travel industry and overall emerging trends.
“The individuals appointed across these two councils reflect diverse areas of leadership, expertise, broad consumer perspectives and industry knowledge,” said TICO President and CEO Richard Smart. “Their insights and recommendations will be invaluable in informing the delivery of TICO’s consumer protection mandate to benefit both consumers and the travel industry as a whole.”
Following a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, the following members of the inaugural councils include:
CAC:
- Angela Dennis – Better Business Bureau Serving Central Ontario Inc. – CAC Chair
- Ron Noble – Catholic Health Association of Ontario – CAC Vice-Chair
- Aly Alibhai – Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Government of Ontario)
- Andrew Gaudes – Goodman School of Business, Brock University
- George Nikolov – Governance Advisor/Consultant
- Irene Kairys – Humber College
- Judy Pfeifer – Financial Services Regulatory Authority
- Kashmera Self – Interac Corp.
- Liz Maier – The Salvation Army
- Marc Spector – Home Construction Regulatory Authority
- Scott Roseblade – Goway Travel Limited
- Yashy Murphy – Parenting To Go
IAC:
- Robert Townshend – Total Advantage Travel and Tours – IAC Chair
- Charles Zhao – CPTrip Service Inc.
- Danuela Freel – Four Point Travel
- Gregory Luciani – TravelOnly Inc.
- Jay Katzeff – Cottage Vacations
- Jean Hébert – Canadian Association of Tour Operators
- Jennifer DiNardo – Bella Vista Travel
- Joanne Dhue – Sunwing Vacations Inc.
- Julie Boucher – Tully Luxury Travel Inc.
- Karen Nasmith – Skican Ltd.
- Martin Taller – Algonquin College
- Robert Mackie – Expedia Cruises
- Scott Selig – Amex Bank of Canada
- Vince Accardi – Ontario Motor Coach Association
- Wendy Paradis – Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors
The inaugural meetings of the CAC and IAC will take place in May 2024. For more information about the CAC and IAC, visit TICO’s website.
